30 August 2018

Scott Cooper was officially named as coach of the Philippine Azkals more than three weeks after former England captain Terry Butcher relinquished the post without even handling the national squad for at least one match.

Originally hired as a senior adviser for Butcher, the Irish-born Cooper will now carry the responsibility of steering the Azkals to greater success especially with the AFF Suzuki Cup set in November and their maiden appearance in the Asian Cup slated in early-January.

“The qualification for the Asian Cup was a great feat and you have to give plaudits to the coach at the time and the players that accomplished that,” Cooper said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Wednesday.

“Potentially, I’ve always admired a lot of the Filipino players. For me, this is a team that’s got a lot of potential and a lot of opportunity to maybe go a step or two if the right steps are produced,” Cooper added.

KUALA LUMPUR (25 Aug 2018) – The FA of Thailand (FAT) are set to host three AFF events in 2019.

This follows the 16th AFF Council Meeting for the Session 2015/2019 that was held this morning at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The FAT have been confirmed to play hosts to the AFF Under-15 Girls’ Championship, AFF Women’s Championship and also the AFF U15 Boys’ Championship.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) will host the AFF U18 Boys’ Championship and also the AFF Futsal Championship in 2019.

On the other hand, the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) will host the AFF U22 Championship.

The host for the AFF Futsal Club Championship and also the AFF Beach Soccer Championship in 2019 has yet to be confirmed.

In the meantime, the other than observing a moment of silence for the victims of the Laos Dam Disaster and also the earthquakes in Lombok, the AFF Council also donated a total of USD 100,000.

His Royal Highness Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, FIFA Council member contributed USD 5,000 to each of the affected countries while Dato’ Sri Zaw Zaw, the President of the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) gave USD 10,000 to Lombok.

He had earlier given USD 10,000 to Laos while the FAT of Thailand contributed drinking water to the affected areas in Laos.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League returns this year with a promise of continuously uplifting Women’s football in the Philippines.

The PFF Women’s League will see teams from Women’s Teams of the Collegiate Associations such as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and amateur women’s clubs play a total of 45 matches starting from 25 August until 4 November 2018.

All matches will be played every Saturday and Sunday at the PFF National Training Center inside the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park in Carmona, Cavite with the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila as an alternate venue.

This will be the second Women’s League to be organized by PFF with assistance from FIFA through the FIFA Women’s Football Development Project – Philippines. The first PFF Women’s League was held from 2016 until 2017 which saw De La Salle University crowned as the inaugural PFF Women’s League champions.

De La Salle University Women’s Football Team, University of Santo Tomas Women’s Football Team, Far Eastern University Women’s Football Team, Ateneo de Manila University Women’s Football Team, the University of the Philippines Women’s Football Team, De La Salle Zobel Women’s Football Team, Outkast FC, Green Archers United, Hiraya FC, and Tuloy FC comprise the 10 participating teams that will compete in this year’s PFF Women’s League.

The tournament format will be a single round-robin with the team ranked first at the end of the season crowned as champions.

“We look forward to another exciting season of the PFF Women’s League,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes. “We thank FIFA for helping the PFF organize this women’s league which will not only promote women’s football but also enable aspiring players to have competitive matches.”

The PFF Women’s League complies with the MyPFF online registration system for players registration pursuant to the PFF mandate in 2017 that all participating players and coaches in PFF-sanctioned domestic competitions must be registered in the MyPFF registration system.

“Last year’s tournament was a resounding success and we wish all the teams the best of luck as they compete in the second season of the PFF Women’s League,” added Gastanes.

The matches will also be shown via live-streaming on the PFF’s live-streaming platform, mycujoo.tv.

24 August 2018

All roads lead to Panaad as Ceres-Negros aims to complete its 2018 Philippines Football League campaign when they face Stallion Laguna in their final match on August 25 in Bacolod City.

The home side has since clinched the title many weeks ago but the visitors are dead set on clinching a podium finish with a win over the busmen in Negros.

Stallion is currently in fourth, just three points behind the Aguilas but the Laguna squad is reported to close the gap as a previous point deduction decision may be reversed making Saturday’s match a must win for the visitors.

Ceres-Negros has shown mastery over their upcoming opponents this season with four victories in Binan and Bacolod. Their first match saw Stallion race to a 2-1 lead but the busmen persevered for a 3-2 victory.

The come from behind win was followed by a 6-2 trashing in Binan by Ceres and later on, the Negros squad earned consecutive 2-0 victories in Panaad last month.

Previous results may not matter as recent results have shown a difference in form and motivation for both squads in recent weeks. Ceres-Negros succumbed to a 0-3 defeat at home against Davao but Stallion Laguna has scored an impressive come-from-behind draw against the same team.

The home squad is keen to finish their league campaign on a high note especially with the league trophy set to be awarded after Saturday’s match.

Kickoff is set in Panaad at 530pm and will be shown live via PFLtv.ph. The awarding ceremonies will follow after the match and will be shown live via the PFL Facebook page.

23 August 2018

The Philippine Azkals will have a new coach and a new player when they hold their training camp next month in Bahrain.

Irish coach Scott Cooper will be handling the Azkals in their first game in the post-Thomas Dooley era. With several injured mainstays and a newcomer securing necessary documents to finally suit up for the national team, Cooper could have a different squad from the one that played against Tajikistan in March to gain 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification.

Azkals manager Dan Palami said midfielder Amin Nazari, an Iranian with Filipino roots, is expected to be available.

Nazari, a gifted midfielder who has played for Sweden’s Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams, is the younger brother of Ceres-Negros midfielder, Omid Nazari, who has already been capped by Iran.

The Azkals are leaving Manila on Sept. 3 with a showdown against Bahrain slated three days later in Manama. In fine form for Cardiff in the English Premier League, Neil Etheridge has already signified his intention to join the camp. —CEDELF P. TUPAS

21 August 2018

August 21, 2018 — Having secured second place in the 2018 Philippines Football League, Kaya FC–Iloilo is heading into its last two league matches with one eye firmly on the upcoming cup tournament.The Copa Paulino Alcantara, which kicks off on September 1 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, is the last remaining path to AFC Cup qualification next year. Given the stakes, the tournament is expected to be two months of all-out war among the clubs dreaming of playing on the Asian stage in 2019.

“It’s a good thing that we were able to secure second spot early. The next two games will be a showcase of performance from other players who haven’t had their minutes. It will be a chance for them to show what they can do—what they’re capable of—moving forward into the cup,” said Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida.

Iloilo next face JPV Marikina on Wednesday, 3pm, at the Carmona Football Field. Among those likely to feature for Marcaida’s side will be the newer additions to the squad: brothers Mike and Audie Menzi, Arnel Amita, and latest acquisition Arnie Pasinabo, who came off the bench to make his Kaya debut on Sunday.

“Despite only getting 15 minutes, he (Pasinabo) was able to perform really well. When Arnie has the ball he makes sure to make a difference. We just have to work on giving more minutes so he can get more comfortable with his position in the side,” said Noel

As for the goalkeeping position, Marcaida didn’t guarantee a switch.

“When it comes to goalkeeping, whoever performs well in training will start the game. There’s no number one, number two, or number three for my goalkeepers. It boils down to how they perform in training. Ace Villanueva has been working hard in training, that’s why he has deserved to start [lately],” he said.

Wednesday’s match between Kaya FC–Iloilo and JPV Marikina will be streamed live over PFLTV.ph at 3pm.

14 August 2018

Dubai: The permanent appointment of interim coach Scott Cooper is “one of the options” the Philippines national team is “moving towards” ahead of the Asian Cup, according to Azkals manager Dan Palami.

Former England defender Terry Butcher withdrew from the role before his official start date earlier this month leaving Irish senior advisor Cooper to take interim charge.

“It was unfortunate,” Palami told Gulf News. “Terry had worked at the best and with the best football associations in England. We are far from that and we acknowledge that, and that is why we respect his decision.

“He wants all preparations to be up to a very detailed level and if England asks for friendlies, camps or other things, that can all be prepared in a jiffy, but with us we have to build gradually.

“We are not yet at that level. We are starting to become a better organisation but we have our limitations at this time, so we respect his position. Nevertheless I think we have a very competent team who could give us very good results as well at the Asian Cup.”

Of Cooper, who has had success with clubs in Thailand, Palami said: “He’s used to working in conditions that are not as perfect as other football associations.

“After talks with him he knows the direction he wants to take the team in and he will be ably advised by the coaches here. His philosophy and systems will be applied for the Asian Cup.”

Asked if Cooper would take the role permanently, Palami replied: “We are still working on that. That’s one of the options.

“We are fortunate to have our technical director Aris Caslib already getting his AFC Pro Licence. His experience as a Filipino plus the experience Scott can bring might be a solution for us. That’s still being explored. We are in talks with the president of the federation, but so far we are moving towards initially the direction of Scott handling the team for the Asian Cup.”

Thomas Dooley had been the coach who secured the Azkals’ first ever Asian Cup qualification in March, but wasn’t offered a contract renewal, prompting the appointment of Terry Butcher in June.

“I think the team and the players needed a fresh perspective moving forward,” said Palami of the decision not to retain Dooley. “Indeed Thomas Dooley was a very big part of the team for the past years, but the federation felt maybe it was time for a fresh perspective, a fresh outlook for the team going forward and going to another level.”

Dooley’s fall out with midfielder Stephan Schrock courted some controversy but Palami said the decision to reintegrate the player or not would now depend upon the new coach.

“It’s all up to the new coach actually, I’ve never interfered with coach player selection. I’ll give my views and whether it’s the same as the coach or not it doesn’t really matter because I defer to the coach when it comes to player selection. I’m sure everybody will be given a fair chance to be part of the team and we’ll see how it goes.”

The Asian Cup will be held in the UAE early next year from January 5 to February 1. The Philippines face South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan in Group C. In the meantime, they have a training camp in Bahrain in September ahead of the Suzuki Cup in November.

Please be informed that Global Cebu FC has notified Liga Futbol Inc (LFI) that they would not be able to play their scheduled match against Ceres Negros (M12) on 15 August 2018 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City due circumstantial reasons that the club has provided the LFI.

The status of the match will be referred to the Liga Futbol Inc. (LFI) Board of Directors (BOD) for decision in accordance with Article 10.9 of the Philippines Football League Tournament Regulations.

11 August 2018

PFL Champions Ceres-Negros hosts Davao Aguilas for the third time this season on August 12 at the Panaad Park in the Bacolod City. The Busmen are keen to extend their mastery over the Aguilas in their fifth and final league meeting.

The Negros squad have won all of their meetings this year. The four consecutive victories were highlighted by a 3-1 win last July 14 at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.

Jeffrey Christaens, Bienvenido Marañon, and Amani Aguinaldo scored for the busmen while Kim Sungmin added one for the home squad.

Davao however will be fielding a new set of players after key signings made during the transfer window. Patrick Deyto, Wesley Dos Santos, and Brazilian Diego Alves will make their debut in the Panaad Stadium.

Ceres-Negros are still reeling from their elimination from the AFC Cup when they lost to Home United over two legs, culminated by a 2-0 defeat in Singapore last Wednesday.

With the PFL title already in hand and the continental competition already completed, Ceres-Negros has the luxury to test out a different lineup in the final three games. Thought he result is already unimportant the back-to-back champions will still go for a good result in Panaad.

“We defeated them for many games and we know that the are eager to beat us,” said Ceres assistant Ian Treyes. “It’s a non bearing game but we’re not gonna give this (game) easily to them. We already have the championship so we will show up and try to play our best,” he added.

Ceres defender Joshua Dutosme is also looking forward for a strong finish in the the next matches. The former St. La Salle standout was a key figure in some away games and would like to replicate again at home.

“I played my last game last month and I’m eager to play again,” said Dutosme. “I also want to prove to my teammates and myself that I can really play with with them. Maybe it’s not an important game, but for me I want to finish the league with a good result.”

Davao is expected to claw for a win to improve their current standing in the league. Both teams are looking at the remaining matches to test their quality before the start of the PFL Cup this September.

The match is set to kick off at 7pm at the Panaad Stadium with free entrance given to the local fans. The match will also be streamed via PFLtv.ph.

10 August 2018

Dhaka: To commemorate and respect the memory of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the international Bangabandhu Gold Cup 2018 will take place from October 1 to 12 at Dhaka’s Bangabandhu National Stadium and Sylhet District Stadium. The group stage matches of the competition will take place at Sylhet while the semis and final matches will take place in Dhaka. In total, 6 countries including Bangladesh will compete in this prestigious international tournament. Till now, Nepal, Philippines and Palestine have agreed to send their national teams in the tournament, said BFF President Kazi Salahuddin. The BFF signed an entitlement agreement with K-Sports for the tournament on Thursday, August 9, at an agreement signing ceremony at the BFF House in Dhaka’s Motijheel. BFF senior vice-president and chairman of the organizing committee of Bangabandhu Gold Cup 2018, Abdus Salam Murshedy and Chief Executive Officer of K-Sports, Fahad MA Karim signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Federation’s President Kazi Md Salahuddin, vice president Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi, members Md Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir, Harunur Rashid, Bijon Barua, Fazlur Rahman Babul, Amit Khan Shuvro, Mahfuza Akhter Kiron and General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag witnessed the contract signing event.

August 10, 2018; Iloilo — Kaya FC–Iloilo is set to play its final home game of the 2018 Philippines Football League on Saturday afternoon, as the club hosts Global Cebu, 3pm, at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

“I think all the players are really excited. It’s great to play in front of our home fans again. Obviously we’ve been performing exceptionally well in the home games this season, barring that last defeat which we hope to avenge tomorrow. Our form has been very good. I hope we can put on a show, put in a very good performance, and send the fans home happy,” said Iloilo team manager Chris Greatwich.

The game comes three months after Global failed to travel for what would’ve been Kaya’s first match in Iloilo back in May. While there was disappointment over the cancelation of the fixture, Chris feels the issue won’t play a role in tomorrow’s match.

“Global Cebu is the only team that has yet to come down here and play in front of the Ilonggo fans, so I’m sure the Ilonggo fans are excited to see some of their players as well. I don’t think it’ll have too much of a bearing that we didn’t play them in that first game. I think we’re just fully focused on securing that second spot. A win tomorrow will go a long way in securing that position and enabling us to finish as high up the table as possible,” he said.

The two sides will be quite familiar with one another, having just faced off in midweek in Carmona. After a scoreless first half, Robert Lopez Mendy’s brace, and goals from Antonio Ugarte and Jovin Bedic steered Iloilo to an impressive 4-0 victory. Such a result will understandably be a source of confidence for Kaya, but Chris isn’t allowing the team to get carried away.

“I don’t think we’re in a position where we can be complacent. They showed last time, and again recently, that if we’re complacent going into the game, then they’re more than capable of punishing us. I think while we should be confident—obviously the second half performance was very good—but it was nil-nil at half time. They showed that they can be very resilient, and that they were organized. It depends on us really. If we come in with the right attitude, and perform as we did in the second half, then I’m confident we can garner three points,” said Greatwich.

“If they have a defensive rear guard that performs as well as they did in the first half of Wednesday’s game, then it could be a difficult outing for us. I hope the guys are confident, but not overconfident, and we can just channel that in the right way tomorrow.”

Tickets to the match are available now via SMtickets.com and at SM Cinemas. Tickets will also be sold at the entrances of the Iloilo Sports Complex. Prices are set at P50 for Grandstand and P150 for VIP. The match will also be streamed live over PFLTV.ph.

09 August 2018

Ceres-Negros FC failed to defend its ASEAN title after losing to rivals Home United, 0-2 (1-3 aggregate), in the 2018 AFC Cup zonal final on Wednesday night, August 8, at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

Goals from Shakir Hamzah (62') and Song Ui Young (74') iced the win for the Singaporean Club that scored one away goal in Bacolod in the first leg.

Pressure was on Stephan Schock and company as they scrambled to find the back of the net. In the 79th minute, Schrock attempted to curl one from out of the box towards the far post.

The Fil-German had another chance in the 82nd minute when Blake Powell connected his header for the goal but it was ruled offside.

The Busmen were heavily undermanned as head coach Risto Vidakovic decided not to suit up Manny and Mike Ott for the game due to disciplinary action while Bienve Marañon remained suspended due to the red card he picked up during the group stage.

Home United will now advance to the inter-zone playoff semifinals which eluded them in 2017 when Ceres made it via away goals.

As the first half was held to a scoreless draw, the Bacolod-based squad was reduced again after winger Patrick Reichelt collided with Home United keeper Rudy Khairullah in the 35th minute. Reichelt fell unconscious and was tended to by the medics for 8 minutes until he was stretchered off the pitch.

Kevin Ingreso came in as substitute for Reicheilt to play the 7 minutes of added time in the first half.

06 August 2018

Manuel “Super” Herrera has done it all for Ceres-Negros. The prize defender has earned two league titles and a zonal title for the Negros club, but the Spaniard is looking for more when they meet Home United in the second leg of the ASEAN Zone final.

“Is the most important game this season,”said the former Real Betis man. “We can make history again for two years in a row.”

Herrera was a vital cog in defense last year where they overturned a 1-2 deficit in Singapore to win 2-0 at home to clinch the inaugural title. With a 1-1 result in their home leg, the busmen will be pressed to be perform when they face the Protectors in their home turf.

“We know already how they play, they defend very good and we will try to surprise them. We will do everything on the field and try to do everything to bring the trophy to Bacolod,” Herrera continued.

With everything to play for in Singapore, Super has kept his faith that his team will deliver especially on the crucial moments in the second leg.

“I Believe in my team always until the end, after the game I will be proud of them for sure, because they will do everything on the field,” Herrera added.

Ceres-Negros will again face another knockout game in continental competition. Ceres fans will be assured that Super and his teammates will go all out to defend what they have worked for to bring glory to the club and country in the AFC Cup.

“In consideration for their financial situation, we agreed to Global Cebu’s request to move Wednesday’s match (August 8) to a neutral venue. Part of our agreement included the assurance that Global would play our scheduled match on Saturday, August 11, at the Iloilo Sports Complex,” said Kaya FC–Iloilo General Manager Paul Tolentino.

“We are disappointed to miss an opportunity to play in front of our supporters in Iloilo, but this was the best course of action to ensure a competitive match would take place on Wednesday.”

The August 8 match will instead be held at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, behind closed doors (not open to spectators). Kickoff is slated at 3pm.

05 August 2018

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Today, Vietnam made short work of the Philippines with a 6-1 beating at the Joko Samudro Stadium while Myanmar came back to blast Cambodia 4-1 at the Gelora Sidoarjo.

“We needed to win this match for the decisive tie (against Myanmar) but the players should have done more with the chances were presented. Six goals were not good enough,” said Vietnam head coach Vu Hong Viet.

It took a while but Vietnam finally cracked open the Philippines defence through Hoang Van Thong in the 19th minute as Nguyen Quoc Hoang then doubled the advantage eight minutes later.

Vietnam finished the first half on top with a 3-0 lead following the third strike from Dinh Thanh Trung.

The Philippines came in stronger into the second half as they maintained defensive discipline before pulling a goal back in the 50th minute through Sandro Sison Reyes.

It was left to Quoc Hoang to make good on the chances Vietnam had and where he managed to complete his hat trick with goals in the 58th and 80th minute in between a goal from Ngoc Thanh (79th).

CARMONA--Playing minus newly resigned head coach Marjo Allado for the first time, Global Cebu thought it would hold Stallion Laguna to a draw in their PFL match at the PFF National Training Center on Saturday.

One of Cebu's former star, however, won it for Laguna.

Pao Bugas drilled in the winning goal as Laguna rallied back to subdue Cebu, 2-1.

Bugas' goal actually completely saved Laguna's cause as Cebu drew first blood and seemed on course for an upset.

Charlie Beaton scored the early stunner for Cebu in the second minute only for Nate Alquiros to get the goal back five minutes later.

Despite the Laguna goal, Cebu kept its opponent at bay as its defense held fort.

However, Jhan-Jhan Melliza found Bugas through a cross from the left flank, and Bugas put the pointblank shot past Jun Badelic for the 79th minute winner.

With the win, Laguna, at 31 points, is now within one point of Davao (32) for third place and two of Iloilo (33), which will play Marikina on Sunday at the said venue, for second place.

Cebu, which was fresh from two straight blowout losses to Marikina earlier in the week, remains at five points.

MANILA--Global Cebu now faces another crisis in their much-maligned 2018 season.After being pummeled by JPV Marikina by double digits just last Wednesday, the once-powerhouse of Philippine football now has sudden managerial vacancy after Marjo Allado abruptly left his post, just four hours before the wooden spoon of the PFL take on streaking Stallion Laguna in Carmona.According to his resignation letter, the UST gaffer cited unpaid wages as his reason for his sudden departure as he was yet to be given for the past months.Allado himself was the club's ever reliable deputy and was first put in the hot seat after Toshiaki Imai left the club last season, before the Queen City side take on Home United in last season's ASEAN Zone semifinal in the AFC Cup.After the side's exit in that stage, he then managed a couple of matches in the PFL before being relegated back to the deputy role when Akbar Nawas was installed as its gaffer, in which he got the top post back right after the Singaporean left the side.This year, his double shifts with España Boulevard and Cebu became more prevalent, as his Growling Tigers came up just two goals shy of ending their UAAP title drought which they last won 11 years ago.As of this writing, no word yet from the Global Cebu top brass on who will be his replacement.https://www.dugout.ph/2018/08/global-cebu-in-deeper-crisis-as-allado.html

It was over before it all even began. And now, the Philippine Azkals are left to pick up the pieces and move on.

Sources said the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and Azkals management are seriously considering Aris Caslib as a replacement for Terry Butcher, who abruptly quit his post as coach of the men’s national football team Friday, before he even handled a single game.

Caslib was also the last Filipino coach to handle the Azkals in 2009 and is expected to be a transition mentor while team manager Dan Palami and the PFF come up with a short list of possible replacements for Butcher.

In the aftermath of the resignation, Palami said Scott Cooper would handle team preparations for upcoming tournaments, but Palami and the PFF will still have to look for a coach who will run the team during tournaments because Cooper doesn’t have the AFC equivalent of a pro license.

A source said the team is not expected to be disrupted too much in its preparations despite the resignation because Cooper was actually the initial choice for the Azkals top post.

His lack of accreditation, though, paved the way for the hiring of former England skipper Butcher, who jolted the country early Friday by announcing his resignation.

The 59-year-old, who was appointed in mid-June replacing Thomas Dooley, said in a statement: “The vital issue for myself was to carefully build a robust plan to meet the football ambitions of the national team.”

“Regretfully, I’ve not been able to make this work in the way that I intended and I’ve decided not to continue in this role.”

Butcher was expected to arrive in Manila next week to lay the groundwork of the Azkals’ preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup in November and the AFC Asian Cup in January next year.

“We understand and respect his decision,” Palami said. “But in Scott Cooper, we also have another brilliant football mind who can help us lay the groundwork in building a strong team for the next two tournaments.”

Irishman Cooper will now temporarily take over the buildup of the team that starts with a camp in Bahrain on the first week of September.

Azkals manager Dan Palami expressed confidence that Cooper can whip the Azkals into form heading into the two major tournaments.